Ladbrokes owner GVC scraps dividend but halves coronavirus profit hit April 6, 2020 Betting giant GVC has cancelled its interim dividend over coronavirus concerns, but has also halved the hit it expects to take from the global pandemic. The UK coronavirus outbreak “significantly reduced” GVC’s revenues from mid-March, the company warned today as it scrapped its second interim dividend. Instead it will conserve cash, after retail like-for-like net [...]
UK coronavirus: Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in hospital April 6, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson remained in hospital this morning with a high temperature after first testing positive for coronavirus 10 days ago. “The PM is still at hospital,” a government source told Reuters. “He spent the night in hospital.” Johnson was taken to hospital last night with a high temperature for additional coronavirus tests. He [...]
Shareholders may push Debenhams into administration April 3, 2020 Debenhams is set to plunge into administration as shareholders attempt to keep the historic retailer out of creditors’ hands during the coronavirus outbreak, it is reported. Debenhams is poised to announce its intention to appoint administrators next week, with KPMG in the running, Sky News reported today. Investors could push for the move to prevent [...]
Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to stay in self-isolation with high temperature April 3, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will remain in self-isolation after continuing to exhibit coronavirus symptoms first diagnosed last week. “Although I feel better and I’ve done my seven days of self-isolation, alas I still have one of the symptoms, a minor symptom. I still have a temperature,” Johnson said in a Twitter video. [...]
Nationwide U-turns on business banking debut over coronavirus April 3, 2020 Nationwide has abandoned plans to enter the business banking market, blaming coronavirus for making it commercially unviable. The building society will return a £50m grant from a pool of RBS cash to foster competititon among British banks as it scales back ambitions in the face of the outbreak. “The impact of Covid19, including assumption changes [...]
Coronavirus: ITV bosses take 20 per cent pay cut as bonuses scrapped April 3, 2020 ITV today scrapped director bonuses and said its entire board would take a 20 per cent pay cut in light of the coronavirus crisis. The broadcaster became the latest company to announce executive salary cuts in the face of coronavirus, after scrapping its 2019 dividend and abandoning 2020 guidance. Executive directors asked that their annual [...]
Coronavirus: Sainsbury’s to ease stockpiling restrictions on products April 3, 2020 Sainsbury’s will begin removing coronavirus stockpiling restrictions from its supermarket goods from this Sunday, it said today. The supermarket said a combination of more supply and panic buying measures means there is finally more stock on the shelves, prompting it to ease stockpiling measures. Restrictions are no longer in place on Easter eggs. However, buying [...]
Primark bosses take 50 per cent pay cut over coronavirus April 3, 2020 Primark bosses have taken a 50 per cent pay cut and cancelled bonuses after warning of a huge slump in 2020 profit due to coronavirus. Chief executive Paul Marchant’s base pay will be halved temporarily. George Weston and John Bason, CEO and chief financial officer of Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF), will also take [...]
FTSE 100 bounces back as Trump declares end to oil price war April 2, 2020 The FTSE 100 looked set to end the day on a high as US President Donald Trump said Saudi Arabia and Russia had ended their oil price war. Energy stocks jumped to propel the London index back into the green after a tumultous day for global stocks. Staggering data showed 6.6m US jobless claims occurred [...]
WHO could alter coronavirus mask advice based on new evidence April 2, 2020 Official advice on wearing masks in public could change after new evidence suggested the measure could help protect people from coronavirus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has so far advised only people with coronavirus symptoms should wear masks in public. Those caring for people with coronavirus should also wear masks, official guidance has maintained. But [...]
